Proposed Offshore Wind Cable Landing at Delaware Seashore State Park

DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation is working with park visitors and residents of coastal Sussex County to plan for potential recreational impacts of a proposal to bring power lines from an offshore wind project ashore at 3Rs Beach in Delaware Seashore State Park.

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Division of Parks and Recreation

The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 20,000 acres in 17 state parks, manages state nature preserves, and monitors conservation easements protecting more than 4,000 acres of land. The division preserves cultural and historic resources, from a Civil War-era fort to elegant estates. And it provides a wide variety of recreational and

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Parks and Recreation Council

The Parks and Recreation Council advises the director of the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation on matters related to the planning, acquisition, development, management, conservation and programming of lands and services under the jurisdiction of the division. The council is established in State Law at 29 Del. C. § 8009.

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Updating Delaware’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan

The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation is preparing to update Delaware’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. The plan, known as the SCORP, tracks the state’s recreation inventory, identifies needs for infrastructure and programs and guides public and private planning and investment to meet those needs. Public outdoor

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Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Trails Program

The DNREC Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Trails Program (ORPT), formerly known as the Delaware Land and Water Conservation Trust Fund (DTF), is a matching grant program assisting with public park land acquisition and outdoor recreation facility development in Delaware. The

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White Clay Creek State Park Master Plan

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has adopted the White Clay Creek Master Plan. The plan presents a vision and framework for White Clay Creek State Park for the next 10 years. The master plan, created by

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Tri-Valley Trail at White Clay Creek State Park

The White Clay Creek State Park Trail Plan, adopted in 2011 after extensive public outreach, addressed a future segment of the Tri-Valley Trail. Combined with other trails, the proposed Tri-Valley Trail is part of an 18-mile Greater Newark regional trail network. The Division of Parks and Recreation proposes to fill the trail system gap

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Killens Pond State Park Trail Concept Plan

DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation is in the process of developing a plan to provide a vision and a framework for the future trail system of Killens Pond State Park. Bob Ehemann Manager, Park Resource Office 302-739-9241

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Fork Branch Preserve

The Division of Parks and Recreation proposes to build a small trailhead and 2.75 miles of trail to create public access to the Fork Branch Nature Preserve, in Dover. Bob Ehemann Manager, Park Resource Office

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Cape Henlopen State Park Trail Plan

DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation is in the process of updating the Trail Plan for Cape Henlopen State Park. The purpose of the Trail Plan is to provide a vision and a framework for the future trail system in the park. [panel type=”success” heading=”Contact

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Brandywine Zoo Master Plan

DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation held an open house in June of 2018 to present future plans for the Brandywine Zoo, in Wilmington. The Brandywine

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Brandywine Creek Trail Plan

DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation has updated the Brandywine Creek State Park Trail Plan. The purpose of the trail plan is to provide a vision and a framework for the future trail system of Brandywine Creek State Park. Final Trail Plan

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Auburn Valley Master Plan

DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation is in the process of updating the Auburn Valley Master Plan, which guides development of Auburn Valley State Park. About the Park Nestled along the Red Clay Creek and home to the world’s largest operating collection of Stanley Steamer

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Assawoman Canal Trail Concept Plan

A group of local community leaders and area residents interested in expanding bicycle and pedestrian opportunities developed the Assawoman Canal Trail Concept Plan. This work led to the 2015 opening of a 1.1-mile trail segment between Route 26 and Elliott Avenue along the west bank of the canal in Ocean View.

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Planning, Preservation and Development

The Planning, Preservation and Development Section administers land acquisition and protection programs, including the Open Space Program, the Office of Nature Preserves and the Cultural Resource Unit. The

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Natural Areas and Nature Preserves

The Delaware Natural Areas Preservation System was created by the Delaware General Assembly in 1978 (7 Del. Code, Chapter 73) to ensure that Delawareans of today and the future understand and appreciate natural communities and benefit from the natural, scientific, educational, aesthetic, recreational and cultural values they possess. [column md=”5″ xclass=”col-xs-12 col-lg-4

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Visiting Nature Preserves

Delaware is home to 34 state-dedicated Nature Preserves, totaling approximately 7,000 acres of land. From the steep slopes of the White Clay Creek Valley Nature Preserve to the sandy shoreline of Beach Plum Island, there are exceptional natural features and unique areas to enjoy. When You Visit Not all nature preserves

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Delaware Natural Areas Advisory Council

The Delaware Natural Areas Advisory Council advises the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control on the administration of nature preserves and the preservation of natural areas. They work to ensure that areas of unusual natural significance are preserved for the benefit of present and future generations of Delawareans.

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Delaware Open Space Program

Parks, open space, natural areas, forests, wildlife habitat, greenways, and waterways are all part of Delaware’s environmental legacy – a legacy which is part of everyone’s quality of life. Delaware’s open spaces provide not only a haven for wildlife and native plants, but also a retreat and escape from the work-a-day world and an opportunity

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About Conservation Easements

A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement that allows landowners to place restrictions on the type or extent of development on their property while maintaining private ownership. Options for Landowners Conservation Easement Criteria [button type=”primary” block=”true”

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Conservation Options for Landowners

We all have that something special that connects us with our natural lands. For some, it is a favorite trail in a forest. For others, it is the beauty and wonder of a heron nesting in our wetlands. For many, it is the beauty of Delaware’s natural lands that reminds us of home.

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Delaware Open Space Council

The Delaware Open Space Council was created in 1990, with the passage of the Delaware Land Protection Act (7 Del. C. Chapter 75), to advise the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control on all matters relating to the administration, implementation, and financing of the Open Space Program. [column md=”5″ xclass=”col-xs-12

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Get Out and Enjoy Delaware’s Great Outside

The Play Outside map from Delaware State Parks will help you find the right park, preserve, trail or playground so you can head out and play outside.

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